See the wood through the trees
W estonbirt Arboretum near Tetbury, Gloucestershire, is home to more than 18,000 trees and shrubs, many of which are among some of the world's rarest and oldest.
One of the finest tree collections in the world and a Grade I listed landscape, it was started by Robert Holford in 1829 and now covers more than 600 acres.
Each year it sees more than 300,000 visitors, many of whom come to marvel at the stunning autumnal display of one of the finest collections of maples in the world.
I remember first visiting Westonbirt one autumn as a child with my parents, at a time when the arboretum is at its absolute best as it bursts into colour, creating a magnificent display.
But back then, as the leaves were falling, it was not to marvel at the colours but to have fun. I seem to recall having a wonderful time laughing and running through this vast world of colour and playing among the piles of fallen, rustling leaves.
Years later, again in autumn, I revisited, but this time it was with photography in mind. Seeing the arboretum through a photographer's eye I found myself captivated by the vast explosion of colour.
I spent the whole day there wandering along the 17 miles of pathways, through the Old Arboretum with its stunning Japanese maples and then into the quiet glades of Silk Wood.
I left happy and rewarded but also with an idea; to produce a book on Westonbirt, a visual celebration of its beauty and magnificence.
I envisioned it to be a book that visitors to the arboretum would take home as a memento of their visit; a complement to a truly wonderful place.
Wanting to ensure the book's success and realising my potential lack of botanical knowledge, I enlisted the help of Gail Mckenzie, an established writer and, having worked at Westonbirt, the perfect candidate.
To follow the changing seasons and photograph each in turn seemed the most obvious way to begin, but for me as a photographer it was important to try to capture something of the spirit and essence of the arboretum, rather than just record stock shots of various trees and plants.
Now, almost two years on, the book has become a reality. It's been a journey involving more than 25 visits to the arboretum over a period of almost 15 months, in all weathers, tracing the seasons and creating images. Hard work indeed but also a great learning experience and sitting here now, with a copy in my hands, I feel incredibly proud.
The change in the seasons is perhaps most dramatic in autumn and Westonbirt is famous for its autumn display. It is truly stunning at this time of year as trees of all varieties erupt with an explosion of colour.
Arriving early before the crowds gave me the opportunity to capture it in that magical hour, as shafts of light penetrate through the trees and then, as and the early morning rays reach slowly down and spread across the forest floor, the colours are really brought to life.
It's a wonderful feeling to be there as Westonbirt awakens.
Spring is also another glorious time, when the first buds of magnolia slowly appear as beautiful white and pink candles finally burst into large delicate displays.
Richly coloured rhododendrons, many over 100 years old, burst forth in great clouds of red, and pink and magnificent displays of azaleas abound.
Over in Silk Wood, Japanese flowering cherry trees are cloaked in pale pink blossom. Here in the woodland in May, wild flowers such as wood anemones and primroses appear, and then give way to hazy carpets of bluebells.
As summer arrives, the arboretum is bathed in green. A quiet season after such a colourful spring, it is a difficult time for photography, often with harsh light and little contrast in colours.
I found myself wandering through the cool shady glades, focusing on small details; the delicate fronds of a fern, wild grasses and leaves gently swaying in the breeze. It was a time to stroll and while away the hours and take in the heavy scent of the flowering lime trees on tranquil Lime Avenue.
In winter, the arboretum is suddenly devoid of colour, the leaves are gone and the trees left stark and naked. A wonderful frost coats skeletal branches with a dusting of silvery white and with its arrival, Westonbirt is transformed into a winter wonderland.
Among the canopies of white, leaves held still in time, a strange stillness abounds and the form of trees peer mysteriously through the mist. And then snow, that all too elusive visitor, suddenly carpets everything in white – then the arboretum looks and feels truly magical.
It is easy to spend hours there as each corner you turn brings something new, as does each visit.
I slowly became more acquainted with the arboretum, as you do a new friend, and found myself returning to particular spots time and time again, finding they continuously offered me something different.
As a visitor but also a guest, I feel somewhat privileged to have had the opportunity to photograph such a wonderful place.
While photographing in autumn one particular tree caught my attention; a red Japanese maple that took centre stage, the star of the show, its beauty radiating out from every leaf. It stood like a ballet dancer, or a highly revered actress, with its audience of admirers, wowed by its performance.
But the tree that captivated me the most with its majestic presence was Betula Ermani, or the Asian birch. Stunning and incredibly characterful, with its reaching branches and peeling bark, this exotic specimen remains my most favourite of all that Westonbirt holds.
As always after a visit to Westonbirt I am left with a sense of wonder by our trees.
Perhaps it is their vast size, age or complexity, or the very fact they change colour, lose their leaves, and then a few months later, spring forth with delicate sticky buds and begin the cycle all over again.
One thing is for sure, they were willing and obliging subjects for my camera. I hope I have repaid them in some way.
Sarah will be running photography workshops at Westonbirt in October and November – for more information call 07760 498112 or visit www.sarahhowardphotography.com
An exhibition of Sarah's work will be held in the Great Oak Hall at the arboretum from October 30 to November 8.
The book will be launched by The Yellow Lighted Bookshop of Tetbury at the Market House, Tetbury, on Tuesday, September 1, for more information and tickets call 01666 500221 or email enquiries@yellow-lightedbookshop.co.uk
A Year in the Life of Westonbirt is published by Frances Lincoln, priced £16.99, on September 10. West Country Life readers can buy the book for the special price of £13.59, including free UK p&p. To take advantage of this offer, visit the website www.franceslincoln.com and, where prompted, enter the promotional code WDPYW09 (which is case sensitive). The offer expires on December 31, 2009.
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